Not to Fear; Jars of Clay is Much Afraid

Jars of Clay's sophomore release Much Afraid reveals much and just enough. With producer Steve Lipson (Annie Lennox, Sting, Simple Minds) the band has matured sonically and lyrically. No longer simply faith-infused Contemporary Christian artists, Jars of Clay struggles with emotional and spiritual distress in a real world.

It's "Frail" that best marks the evolution. "If I was not so weak/If was not so cold/If I was not so scared of being broken/Growing old/I would be/I would be." Lipson slowly builds the track around a single acoustic guitar with layers upon layers of voices, strings, electric guitars and otherworldly sounds. Yet the production never goes over the edge. Again, on "Tea and Sympathy" it's a real-world lover pleading, "Don't trade our love for tea and sympathy, no/No, it's not the way/That it has to be." Even on the literal, faith-infused "Weighed Down," "Much Afraid" and Hymn," Jars of Clay's faith is equal parts fear, doubt, praise and conviction.

Much Afraid is pure pop music. It redefines the Christian music genre and enriches modern, secular pop.